Vehicle steering device

Abstract

A vehicle steering device in which turn signal switches are disposed along axial directions of grip members of left and right steering units. While the grip members are being operated in opposite forward and rearward directions when turning to the right or left, the turn signal switches are also operated in opposite axial directions upon turning to the right or left or the like, and therefore, are easily matched with the movements of the steering units. More specifically, there is continuity between the movement of the arms during turning and the movement of the fingers of the right and left turning indicators, and thus operation of the vehicle steering device is facilitated.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vehicle steering device, comprising:
 grip members of steering units, which are provided on both left and right front sides of a driver's seat, are gripped respectively by left and right hands of a driver, and are capable of being movably operated in forward and rearward directions of a vehicle;   wherein the left and right grip members are connected so that when one of the grip members is moved rearward, the other is moved forward, and operating members adapted to indicate a right or left turning direction are arranged respectively on each of the grip members;   each of the operating members is capable of being operated in both axial directions of the respective grip members; and   from among respective left and right direction indicators, a direction indicator on one side is placed in an on state by one of the operating members being operated in one axial direction and the other of the operating members being operated in an opposite direction to the one axial direction.   
     
     
         2 . The vehicle steering device according to  claim 1 , wherein the left and right grip members of the left and right steering units are connected through a coupling mechanism in a manner so that when one of the grip members is moved rearward, the other is moved forward. 
     
     
         3 . The vehicle steering device according to  claim 2 , wherein the coupling mechanism is of a structure in which left and right gears, which are fastened to the left and right steering units, are connected with respect to a gear that is fastened to a steering shaft. 
     
     
         4 . The vehicle steering device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 by moving the grip member of the steering unit on the right side in a rearward direction of the vehicle, and moving the grip member of the steering unit on the left side in a forward direction of the vehicle, the vehicle turns to the right or changes course to the right side; and   by moving the grip member of the steering unit on the left side in a rearward direction of the vehicle, and moving the grip member of the steering unit on the right side in a forward direction of the vehicle, the vehicle turns to the left or changes course to the left side.   
     
     
         5 . The vehicle steering device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 by the operating member on the right side being operated upwardly in the axial direction of the grip member on the right side, the direction indicator for indicating a left turning direction or a change in direction to the left side is placed in an on state; and   by the operating member on the left side being operated upwardly in the axial direction of the grip member on the left side, the direction indicator for indicating a right turning direction or a change in direction to the right side is placed in an on state.   
     
     
         6 . The vehicle steering device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 by the operating member on the right side being operated downwardly in the axial direction of the grip member on the right side, the direction indicator for indicating a right turning direction or a change in direction to the right side is placed in an on state; and   by the operating member on the left side being operated downwardly in the axial direction of the grip member on the left side, the direction indicator for indicating a left turning direction or a change in direction to the left side is placed in an on state.   
     
     
         7 . The vehicle steering device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 a character indicating right is displayed at a position above the operating member that is disposed on the grip member on the left side, and another character indicating left is displayed at a position below the operating member; and   a character indicating left is displayed at a position above the operating member that is disposed on the grip member on the right side, and another character indicating right is displayed at a position below the operating member.   
     
     
         8 . The vehicle steering device according to  claim 1 , wherein a hazard switch is disposed on an upper end portion of a grip on the passenger seat side from among the left and right grip members.